Medical divider



Sept. 7 1948.

C. G. GEISSLER MEDICAL DIVIDER Filed Dec. 5, 1944 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 7, 1948 UNITED STATES; RA'I'ENT OFFICE" MEDICAL DIVIDER Cal-LG. Geissler, Alameda, Calif. Application December 5, 1944, Serial No. 566,761

3 Claims.

This invention has to do generally with an improved device for dividing a lineal extent into equal divisions or equidistant points, and relates particularly to a novel medical divider especially adaptable for use in determining equidistant points along a limb, for example along the forearm or lower leg.

For certain purposes, as in the making of one type of metabolism determinations, it is necessary to divide the distance between spaced locations along the arm or leg into a plurality of equidistant points. The distance between corresponding locations, e. g. the wrist and elbow, on the limbs of different individuals of course varies. Accordingly, any quickly useable divider must be capable of such manipulation as will compensate for variations in the distances to be divided.

My primary object is to provide a divider of simple and economical construction capable of easy application and quick manipulation to accurately determine the desired equal divisions of the length being investigated. Another aim is to adapt the divider parts for inexpensive quantity production by die cutting out of transparent sheet Celluloid or plastic materials.

In its preferred form the present invention comprises a pair of relatively movable flexible and flat surface sections having edge portions adapted to intersect at equal and variably spaced points. For thi purpose, one section is formed with a straight edge and the other with angular, parallel and equally spaced edges adapted to be intersected by the straight edge to establish the points of division. A further and particular feature is the pivotal association or interconnection of the sections at the location of application of one end portion of the divider to the joint bone of a limb to establish one limit of the distance to be divided. In this connection the invention contemplates suitably adapting the divider at the location of the section pivot, to apply to or fit the joint bone, as by providing a recess in the adjacent divider section.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing typically as applied to the determination of points of equal spacing along the forearm. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the divider and its use in determining equidistant points along the forearm of a patient;

Fig. 3 is across-section on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. .1, the divider, generally indicated at !0, comprises a pair of relatively movable sections I l and [2 which, as previously indi-. cated, preferably aremade by die cutting themfrom flexible transparent sheet Celluloid or like material. Ordinarily the length of the divider will be as great as the distances to be divided between the patients wrist bone and elbow, or angle bone and knee. The outer divider section H has a straight edge l3 adapted to be brought into intersecting relation with edges of the base Section I 2, as will appear.

Section I2 is shaped to provide a plurality of angular parallel spaced edges I4, I5, [6 and IT, four being shown a typical although the number thereof may be varied in accordance with the number of equal linear divisions to be determined.

' The lengths of edges M to I! are shown to be of Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the pivoted end connection between the divider sections; and

an increasing order toward the elbow end of the divider, in order that within the range of its pivotal adjustment in accommodating different arm lengths, the straight edge l3 will intersect all of these parallel edges of section I2.

The sections may be pivotally associated or joined at I8 in any suitable manner, as by providing section [2 with a projection H], see Fig. 3, extending through an opening 20 in section H and headed over the outer surface of the latter to pivotally retain the sections. Means is provided at the pivotal connection l8 for accommodating or fitting the divider to a joint bone of the patient, for example the wrist bone as the divider is shown to be used in Fig. 1. For this purpose, the underside of section 12 may carry a projection 2| containing a concave opening or recess 22 which is adapted to be fitted over the wrist bone so as to substantially center the pivot with relation thereto,

In the use of the divider, recess 22 is applied to the wrist bone as stated, and the sections are pivotally adjusted so that the straight edge I3 and edge I! intersect at 23, at a location substantially at the end of the elbow or any other part thereof. The location of edge 14 is such that the distance from the center of the pivot l8 to and along a line normal to a projected line of edge I4 corresponds to the equal spacing of the parallel edges I4 to IT. Accordingly, the distance between the wrist bone and location 23 will in all instances be divided into equidistant points at the intersections of the straight edge 13 with the parallel edges, regardless of the total distance between the wrist bone and point 23.

As will be apparent, the divider is capable of easy application and quick manipulation to establish the location of the equidistant points of intersection, which may be indicated by markings at the intersecting edges.

I claim:

1. A measuring device comprising a pair of relatively movable members, one having a straight edge and the other having a series of toothshaped portions presenting spaced parallel edges intersecting said-straight edge, said members upon relative movement indicating at the intersections of said straight and parallel edges variably but equally spaced alined points, and means associating said members for relative pivotal movement.

2. A measuring device comprising a pair of relatively movable members, one having a straight edge and the other having a. plurality of spaced parallel edges intersecting said straight edge, said members upon relative movement indicating at the intersections .-:of=-.said straight and parallel edgeslvariably but-equally spaced alined points, andvmeans associating said members for-relative pivotal movement at a -recess in one of lthe members applicable to a joint bone.

., 3j A measuring: device comprising a pairof elongated flat surface members formed of translucent flexible material, one of the members overlying and engaging the other member, means associating corresponding end portions of said members for relative pivotal movement, one member having a straight edge and the other having a plurality of spaced parallel edges intersecting said straight edge, said members upon relativ ivotal movement indicating, at the intersections of said straight and parallel edges variably but equally spaced alined points.

CARL G. GEISSLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,624,031 Adler Apr. 12, 1927 2,216,490 Garrett Oct.,1,':19 40 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 253,249 Great Britain June 17;"1926 

